Prayer for America 12/21/05

Thank you that in the deep, dark winter there are holidays to brighten our lives. Thank you for family, for traditions, for the freedom in this nation to celebrate or to not celebrate the holy days of all faiths. This freedom Americans have--to choose our faith, to choose our celebrations, to choose our traditions--reflects your own gift of free will to each of us. Thank you that you never force or coerce us to love you, and yet you offer your love freely if we desire it. O Father, I praise you right now for the gifts of free will and a free country. In your name, amen.